A patient has asked why she needs to exercise. The nurse tells her that if the diabetic patient exercises, then the insulin requirement

A. Notify the night supervisor of the patient's deteriorating condition: While it’s important to keep supervisors informed, hypoglycemia needs to be treated immediately. The priority action is to raise the patient’s blood glucose level, not waiting to notify the supervisor.

B. The patient is experiencing symptoms of hypoglycemia, and the best initial action is to give a fast-acting carbohydrate like orange juice (about 15g of sugar). After 15 minutes, the blood sugar should be rechecked. Following the treatment with a complex carbohydrate and protein helps to maintain blood glucose levels and prevent recurrence of hypoglycemia.

C. Ambulate the patient in the hall to use up excess glucose with exercise: Exercise can lower blood glucose levels, which would be dangerous in a hypoglycemic patient. The priority is to raise the blood sugar rather than use exercise to manage glucose levels.

D. Give insulin by sliding scale based on glucometer reading: The patient’s blood sugar is low (51 mg/dL), which indicates hypoglycemia, not hyperglycemia. Insulin should not be administered in this situation, as it would further decrease the blood glucose levels.

A. Decreases: Exercise increases the body's sensitivity to insulin, allowing cells to use glucose more effectively. As a result, a diabetic patient may need less insulin after exercise to maintain normal blood glucose levels.

B. Increases: Exercise generally lowers the body's insulin requirements, not increases them. This is because exercise improves insulin sensitivity, making it easier for the body to manage glucose.

C. Remains unchanged: Exercise has a significant physiological impact on glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. To maintain optimal blood glucose control, the insulin regimen is often lowered, in conjunction with a regular exercise program.

D. Is changed to regular insulin: Exercise does not specifically require a change to regular insulin. Exercise can affect the overall amount of insulin needed, but it does not necessarily require a change in the type of insulin used.